Adelaide United — Sydney FC : Match Preview and Prediction for October 17,2025

Adelaide United: A Season of Disarray

What’s the situation at Adelaide United ahead of the new season? A state of disarray. The club has endured a turbulent 12 months, marked by significant internal upheavals. The management made several unpopular decisions, including the removal of coach Carl Veart and the appointment of the inexperienced Brazilian, Ayrton Andrioli, primarily known for his youth coaching background.

Key Player Departures and Their Impact

The team has been weakened by the departure of several crucial players. Top scorer Archie Goodwin has left, along with the influential midfield duo of Stefan Mauk and Zach Clough. These are substantial losses, severely impacting the team’s ability to create and finish attacks. While Craig Goodwin represents a new reinforcement on paper, a single player cannot be expected to carry the entire squad.

Persistent Defensive Vulnerabilities

Defense remains the primary concern. Last season, Adelaide conceded a staggering 55 goals in 26 matches, a tally only surpassed by the league’s bottom-dwellers, Perth Glory. Pre-season indications suggest these issues persist. In their recent FFA Cup fixture, the team lost 1-2 to Newcastle Jets, remarkably allowing 22 shots on their goal.

New Signings and Injury Woes

New signings are not immediately ready to contribute. The 36-year-old Brazilian Anselmo de Moraes is not included in the squad as he works on regaining match fitness after a prolonged absence. Jay Barnett is also listed as unavailable due to illness, in addition to four other injured players. The overall outlook, to put it mildly, is bleak.

Sydney FC: Strategic Off-Season Preparations

Sydney FC approached the off-season with a clear grasp of their shortcomings. Coach Ufuk Talay openly acknowledged the team’s lack of balance and defensive solidity. The club’s management responded with targeted and high-quality reinforcements.

Strengthening the Defense with Marcel Tisserand

The most significant acquisition is Congolese defender Marcel Tisserand. A player with experience at clubs like Wolfsburg and Fenerbahçe, he is expected to become a defensive linchpin, and the coach has already confirmed his place in the starting lineup. This signing directly addresses last season’s issues with conceding goals.

Boosting the Attack and Retaining Key Talent

The attacking line has also received considerable attention. The club has secured Spanish forward Víctor Campuzano, Peruvian Piero Quispe, and the pacy Al-Hassan Toure. Crucially, Joe Lolley, one of the team’s key attacking figures, has reaffirmed his full commitment to the club after transfer rumors and is ready to once again be a primary offensive force.

Optimistic Outlook for Sydney FC’s Campaign

I highly rate the work done by Sydney FC. It wouldn’t surprise me if they managed to win the regular season championship. The team enters the new campaign well-equipped, boasting a deep squad and having successfully addressed their identified weaknesses.